Tuesday 30 June 2015 23:11, UK
England U21 defender Luke Garbutt has committed his long-term future to Everton by signing a new contract at Goodison Park.
Left-back Garbutt, 22, has agreed a new five-year deal taking his stay with the Toffees until the end of the 2019/20 season.
Garbutt, a product of the Everton academy side, made his Premier League debut for the club as a 20-year-old at Southampton in the 2013/14 season.
He made 10 more first-team appearances last term, including four in the top-flight, and said: "It's an honour to commit my long-term future to Everton.
"I’ve been made to feel very welcome at the club since I signed my scholarship six years ago. Over the years, I have grown to have an affinity with the club and I feel a sense of belonging here.
"Under the manager, the future looks bright and positive and I want to be a part of that. It is a great club to be a part of and the staff and supporters have been great with me from day one."
Garbutt joined Everton from Leeds United in July 2009, originally on scholarship terms before signing his first professional deal a year later.
He is hoping he can keep on improving and push senior England international Leighton Baines for a starting spot in the Everton first team.
He added: "Last season was great for me in continuing my development, my personal highlight being the Europa League adventure as I gained a lot of experience in those games playing against top quality opposition.
"Everything we went through last season and the experience we gained as a group will only make us stronger as a team ahead of the new season.
"And with all the young players we’ve got such as Rom, Ross and Stonesy - all of them key players, too, the future of the club couldn't be more promising.
"If we can continue to build the team, then we can go on and achieve special things together, every one of us as players will have no doubts about that."
